Buku Vegan New Home & Menu at Main House Market - Winter Garden
Buku Vegan is now officially located inside of Main House Market - AND just rolled out a new menu!
Orlando Bearded Vegan hosted a Media Event Preview for us to try out Chef Chicoye's new menu. 100% Plant Based and 110% delicious! I had tried Buku's Cookie Cakes before at Vegan events around town, but it's so exciting for Jenny to have a place to call home - and expand her delicious Haitian cuisine menu.
We started with the Build Your Flight Kombucha - I chose Blue Sage, Blood Orange, Pineapple Ginger CBD, and Peppermint Lavender. Although I loved them all, I have to say the Pineapple Ginger CBD was my favorite- I loved the sweetness from the pineapple and calmness of the ginger and CBD. All of their draft kombucha's are locally sourced - Farm Boy Produce, Kombucha Wagon, & Orlando City Kombucha.
First, we tried the Jacmel Tacos; House-made corn tortillas, topped with a black bean puree, shredded jackfruit "pork" (griot) & a fresh pineapple pico, drizzled with epis aioli. I have always hated jackfruit because of it's slimy texture- but let me tell you... Chef Chicoye has the magic touch!! This was the best jackfruit I've had in my life- I loved the thick texture and the pop of flavor. After each new plate was delivered, Jenny (Chef Chicoye) came out to tell us more about how she created each dish!
Then we tried the delicious Noir Burger; Black/red bean & cabbage patty embellished with caramelized leaks, tomatoes, pickled red cabbage, mixed greens and epis aioli. *Clap Clap Clap* What a thick burger! I added some extra pickled red cabbage for some spice, but I loved most how the burger was blended together. Great option for omnivore's, too.
Next up was Djon Djon; Haiti's most famous black mushroom rice with lima beans, topped with hearts of palm "conch" (lambi) & fried green plantains. Remember how much I hate jackfruit? My longest running vegan enemy is mushrooms- I have disliked them since I was a kid, for that same slimy texture. Plus, my mom had to force me to eat lima beans as a kid- but I was scraping the plate on this one! Chef Chicoye handpicks this Haitian delight and soaks them in mushrooms for flavor... I can't imagine how long this takes, but it is 100% worth it!
Saving the best for last.. A Toast to Kremas; Made from scratch soft Challah bread cut into thick slices & dredged in coconut milk with spices, lathered with a berry-lime compote, vanilla bean streusel and homemade whipped cream dusted with powdered sugar. French toast but Ayisien. Dessert is my favorite part of any meal, and I can't wait to go back and get this one... like tomorrow. The Challah bread was nice and firm on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. The berried complimented the entire pallet- and the side of syrup was a sweet touch.
The CEO of Main House Market, Brandon, came out to introduce his team and thank us for coming to the event. They are home to over 47 different local brands- from art, plants, clothing, food and drinks, to accessories, stickers, and more! They pride themselves on helping bring the community together and supporting local businesses. Main House Market also hosts events- such as Drag Brunch- so be sure to check out their website and stop in to try Buku Vegan's new menu.
Special shout-out to Jenny (Chef Chicoye) of Buku Vegan for hosting and feeding us, and Jeremy from Orlando Bearded Vegan for organizing and hosting this event! I absolutely loved our take-away goodie bags with a Buku Cookie Cake, Build Your Own Flight coupon, and some fun vegan friendly stickers. Have you ever been to Main House Market before?
More Event Photos:
Main House Market Kombucha Bar
108 S Main St, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Hours: Tuesday 10AM–7PM
Wednesday 10AM–7PM
Thursday 10AM–7PM
Friday 10AM–7PM
Saturday 9AM–7PM
Sunday 10AM–4PM
Monday Closed